EPL Players at EURO 2024 – Day 22
The first two quarter-finals games took place yesterday, with Spain breaking German hearts late on in extra time and France overcoming Portugal in a penalty shootout. As part of our EPLNews EURO 2024 report, here is how Premier League players performed in these games.
Spain 2e-1 Germany
In a game between the two best performing teams at the tournament, it was Spain who managed to secure qualification to the semis via a late goal that came just as everyone was preparing for a penalty shootout.
The scoring was opened by a neat Dani Olmo strike in the 51st minute and, as the 90 minutes were drawing to a close, it was Florian Wirtz who struck to take the game to extra time. After controversy regarding a VAR check for a potential penalty due to a Marc Cucurella handball, it was Mikel Merino who headed past Manuel Neuer and into the German net to send Spain through.
There were two Premier League players on show for Spain, as Cucurella and Rodri were included in the starting XI, while Kai Havertz featured from the start for Germany. While the Chelsea left-back can consider himself lucky to not concede a penalty, Rodri performed admirably for his country in midfield. Havertz led the line for the hosts but was largely ineffective and came off right at the start of extra time.
Ratings
Spain: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) – 7; Rodri (Manchester City) – 8
Germany: Kai Havertz (Arsenal) – 6
You can find highlights and reactions from this game by clicking here.
Portugal 0-0p France (3-5 in penalty shootout)
It was a game with a tepid first half but plenty of spurned chances after the interval, there was nothing that could separate these two European heavyweights, so it went all the way to a penalty shootout. France held their nerve to score all five of their spot kicks, with the decisive one coming from Theo Hernandez. Portugal bowed out of the tournament due to Joao Felix’s penalty hitting the post.
While France only had one Premier League player featuring in this game thanks to William Saliba being named in the starting XI, Portugal called upon six such players. Ruben Dias, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva starting, while Matheus Nunes and Nelson Semedo came off the bench.
The best performer of the bunch was Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, who contributed to Portugal’s attacking threat all game long. No Premier League player for either team had a particularly bad game.
Ratings
Portugal: Ruben Dias (Manchester City) – 7; Joao Palhinha (Fulham) – 7; Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) – 7.5; Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) – 8; Nelson Semedo (Wolves) – 6; Matheus Nunes (Manchester City) – N/A
France: William Saliba (Arsenal) – 7
Click here for highlights, reactions and details from this game.